Church embraces forum for youth struggling with sexual orientation

Jim Faucett, left, executive director of Youth OUTright, and Page Nevel, a member of the group, stand in front of First Congregational Church where the group meets.

MIKE DIRKS/ TIMES- NEWS

By BETH BEASLEYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 9:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 9:22 a.m.

While it’s an acknowledged fact that adolescence is a tough time for most, getting through those years with a different sexual orientation from your peers has the potential to add even more pressure and confusion.

Facts

Want to go?

◆ What: Panel discussion of “Religion and the LGBTQ Community”

◆ Who: Hosted by Youth OUTright, the panel will include four area religious leaders

◆ Extra: “Bullying — A Community Conversation,” part of the No Name Calling Week Project, is set for 7 p.m.

Jan. 23 at First Congregational

◆ Information: Call 828-772-1912 or visit http:// youthoutright.org/

Youth OUTright WNC Inc., a nonprofit aiming to create models of support and education for LGBTQ youth, is addressing one aspect of the issues facing youth with a panel discussion on Jan. 12 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

“Many of our youth come from very religious families, and too often their religious traditions have a supremely negative view of homosexuality,” says Jim Faucett, Youth OUTright executive director. “It’s important that they know that not all religious leaders and teachings universally condemn them for who they are.”

The panel discussion is planned as a special activity during Youth OUTright’s regular monthly youth meeting in Hendersonville.

First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCC) has been hosting these meetings since September.

The meetings, which usually involve discussion, an educational activity, a social activity such as cooking or a movie screening, take place on the second Saturday of the month in the FCC fellowship hall.

The Rev. Richard Weidler, as the leader of a church congregation that is “open and affirming,” explains why FCC supports Youth OUTright and the LGBTQ community.

“In his words and actions, Jesus showed compassion not only for the poor, but also for the marginalized and vulnerable of his society. … He aligned himself with those who were powerless and also with those in the minority, and challenged the religious leaders of his day to do likewise,” Weidler says. “We at FCC are doing our best to be present-day reflections of Jesus.”

Weidler will participate in the panel that will also include the Rev. Jane Nelson of MCC Sacred Journey, the Rev. James McKinley of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, and Rabbi Philip Cohen of Agudas Israel Synagogue.

The discussion will be informal and interactive, gleaning the perspectives of these representatives from institutions that welcome and support LGBTQ people.

Panelists will welcome questions from youth and parents, and there will be several youth associated with Youth OUTright serving as moderators.

Youth OUTright, also known as “YO,” offers ongoing discussion groups and social activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 14 through 23.

Central to Youth OUTright’s mission is the empowerment of LGBTQ youth to be “confident and vital members of the greater community.”

Youth OUTright was established in Asheville in 2009. “Most of these young people are looking for a place to hang out with their people, where they’re the majority,” Faucett says. “It seems like a small thing, but when you’re a teenager, it’s huge. It’s fun to see them form their own community.” The former executive director of the Arts Council of Henderson County, Faucett has been involved with the 501(c)3 nonprofit since 2011. He hopes youth who attend the group will come away with a feeling of acceptance by having religious leaders tell them that “God loves you for who you are.”

LGBTQ youth in Hendersonville are finding allies in their straight peers, especially in Page Nevel, 18, who recently started the Pride Club at Hendersonville High School, where Nevel is senior class president.

“I’ve seen what it does to people to be discriminated against,” Nevel says. “We’re working toward tolerance, but we’re not there, yet.”

Weidler, Faucett and youth such as Nevel see the issue of acceptance and embracing LGBTQ in our communities as the civil rights issue of this generation.

“My hope is that the participating clergy on the panel can demonstrate by our words that while some faith communities may be prejudiced against the GLBT community, not all faith communities are,” Weidler says.

In response to those who think the Youth OUTright meetings have an element of “recruitment” to their aims, Faucett counters by acknowledging the authenticity of the young people who attend the meetings.

“You’re not going to convince someone to be who they’re not,” he says. “We’re just giving the kids an opportunity to be who they are.”

Nevel is inspired by the stories from her peers at the Youth OUTright meetings.

“The first meeting I attended, there were some awesome stories; it was so powerful to hear them,” she says. “It motivates me to go every time.”

Nevel is collecting questions for the Jan. 12 panel discussion and has volunteered to speak about Youth OUTright to the FCC congregation on Jan. 20, as well.

On Jan. 23, a special Youth OUTright event at FCC will focus on the topic of bullying, with clips shown from the film “Bully,” along with group discussion.

Co-moderated by Dr. Clay Eddleson and Kay Bailey, the event takes place in conjunction with the national No Name Calling Week Project, and will include introduction speeches given by Weidler and Faucett.

“We, as a congregation, are deeply concerned about bullying of children in the public schools because of their sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation,” Weidler says.

Faucett adds that even though the event takes place under the umbrella of Youth OUTright, it is directed toward all youth, regardless of sexual orientation, because the problem of bullying is so prevalent.

<p>While it's an acknowledged fact that adolescence is a tough time for most, getting through those years with a different sexual orientation from your peers has the potential to add even more pressure and confusion.</p><p>Youth OUTright WNC Inc., a nonprofit aiming to create models of support and education for LGBTQ youth, is addressing one aspect of the issues facing youth with a panel discussion on Jan. 12 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.</p><p>“Many of our youth come from very religious families, and too often their religious traditions have a supremely negative view of homosexuality,” says Jim Faucett, Youth OUTright executive director. “It's important that they know that not all religious leaders and teachings universally condemn them for who they are.”</p><p>The panel discussion is planned as a special activity during Youth OUTright's regular monthly youth meeting in Hendersonville.</p><p>First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCC) has been hosting these meetings since September.</p><p>The meetings, which usually involve discussion, an educational activity, a social activity such as cooking or a movie screening, take place on the second Saturday of the month in the FCC fellowship hall.</p><p>The Rev. Richard Weidler, as the leader of a church congregation that is “open and affirming,” explains why FCC supports Youth OUTright and the LGBTQ community.</p><p>“In his words and actions, Jesus showed compassion not only for the poor, but also for the marginalized and vulnerable of his society. … He aligned himself with those who were powerless and also with those in the minority, and challenged the religious leaders of his day to do likewise,” Weidler says. “We at FCC are doing our best to be present-day reflections of Jesus.” </p><p>Weidler will participate in the panel that will also include the Rev. Jane Nelson of MCC Sacred Journey, the Rev. James McKinley of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, and Rabbi Philip Cohen of Agudas Israel Synagogue. </p><p>The discussion will be informal and interactive, gleaning the perspectives of these representatives from institutions that welcome and support LGBTQ people. </p><p>Panelists will welcome questions from youth and parents, and there will be several youth associated with Youth OUTright serving as moderators. </p><p>Youth OUTright, also known as “YO,” offers ongoing discussion groups and social activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 14 through 23. </p><p>Central to Youth OUTright's mission is the empowerment of LGBTQ youth to be “confident and vital members of the greater community.” </p><p>Youth OUTright was established in Asheville in 2009. “Most of these young people are looking for a place to hang out with their people, where they're the majority,” Faucett says. “It seems like a small thing, but when you're a teenager, it's huge. It's fun to see them form their own community.” The former executive director of the Arts Council of Henderson County, Faucett has been involved with the 501(c)3 nonprofit since 2011. He hopes youth who attend the group will come away with a feeling of acceptance by having religious leaders tell them that “God loves you for who you are.” </p><p>LGBTQ youth in Hendersonville are finding allies in their straight peers, especially in Page Nevel, 18, who recently started the Pride Club at Hendersonville High School, where Nevel is senior class president. </p><p>“I've seen what it does to people to be discriminated against,” Nevel says. “We're working toward tolerance, but we're not there, yet.” </p><p>Weidler, Faucett and youth such as Nevel see the issue of acceptance and embracing LGBTQ in our communities as the civil rights issue of this generation. </p><p>“My hope is that the participating clergy on the panel can demonstrate by our words that while some faith communities may be prejudiced against the GLBT community, not all faith communities are,” Weidler says. </p><p>In response to those who think the Youth OUTright meetings have an element of “recruitment” to their aims, Faucett counters by acknowledging the authenticity of the young people who attend the meetings. </p><p>“You're not going to convince someone to be who they're not,” he says. “We're just giving the kids an opportunity to be who they are.” </p><p>Nevel is inspired by the stories from her peers at the Youth OUTright meetings. </p><p>“The first meeting I attended, there were some awesome stories; it was so powerful to hear them,” she says. “It motivates me to go every time.” </p><p>Nevel is collecting questions for the Jan. 12 panel discussion and has volunteered to speak about Youth OUTright to the FCC congregation on Jan. 20, as well. </p><p>On Jan. 23, a special Youth OUTright event at FCC will focus on the topic of bullying, with clips shown from the film “Bully,” along with group discussion. </p><p>Co-moderated by Dr. Clay Eddleson and Kay Bailey, the event takes place in conjunction with the national No Name Calling Week Project, and will include introduction speeches given by Weidler and Faucett. </p><p>“We, as a congregation, are deeply concerned about bullying of children in the public schools because of their sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation,” Weidler says. </p><p>Faucett adds that even though the event takes place under the umbrella of Youth OUTright, it is directed toward all youth, regardless of sexual orientation, because the problem of bullying is so prevalent.</p>